A/N: Sorry for the long break, I found some time to write so here's another chapter for anyone interested.
"It was just a dream Rose." Christian repeated.
"Just a dream, right." I mumbled. "Sorry about your face." I uttered as I turned my back to him and swiped at the tears.
The nightmare had been close enough to the real thing, it sent shivers down my spine. My mind was at war with itself. On one hand, Dimitri was safe and no longer a strigoi, but on the other… Maybe it would have worked out better had I taken him up on his original offer.
I shook my head and then attempted to shake out the tension in my shoulders. Under no circumstances would that have been better... for anyone. I turned to face Christian who was still eyeing me cautiously.
"You okay?" He asked raising his left eyebrow?
"Yup." My lips popped. "I'm fine. Really. Just a dream, a bad dream, sorry about all of… that." I gestured at his body.
"Considering you're a trained guardian, I'll count myself lucky." Christian gave a cocky grin in attempts to mask his true feelings.
I grabbed the closest thing to me and chucked it at his head. The plush pillow landed on its mark and I couldn't help but chuckle at the bewilderment on his face.
"Sorry for the interruption," The pilot's voice sounded over the intercom. "We will be landing in San Diego in a little under an hour, the forecast looks clear so we should experience minimal turbulence on our descent this morning."
"Right… San Diego." A frown settled on both of our faces. "So…" The air dried out my mouth and I went to the minifridge for a water bottle. I grabbed two and settle into the couch next to where Christian hat sat.
"San Diego." Christian said as he took the small bottle. "Somehow not where I imagined Abe sending us."
"Me either." I breathed after chugging water. "It's not as far as I'd like, but it's a start. He probably has close connections here or something."
"Speaking of starts, what's the plan when we land?" Christian asked.
"Well I've dragged your ass along this far, I won't kick you off this train wreck now if you want to hang around." I shoved his shoulder.
"I'm good with a little wreckage." He said just before whacking me with the pillow.
"Keep that in mind whenever we figure out what Abe has in store for us."
We settled into a comfortable enough silence as we tuned into whatever Christian had been watching before my nightmare.
Soon enough the jet was descending onto a private tarmac at a small airport. Being that it was still the middle of the night I got to take in some of the far off city lights as we made our way onto the tarmac.
"I thought you said we were landing in San Diego?" I called up to the pilot upon landing.
"Close enough." Geoffrey said when he entered the main cabin after landing, with a small blue duffle bag at his side.
"From your father." He extended the bag out to me. Geoffrey proceeded to unload our cargo, despite my attempts at claiming we were more than capable of handling it ourselves.
Once we had settled everything outside of the jet, I noticed a little black Prius slowly driving up. Naturally, I positioned myself in front of Christian. At a few feet away the car stopped and the man who had been driving, stepped out and approached us.
"You must be Rosemarie." The older blonde man gave an elegant bow before extending his hand. "I'm Robert Ellis, long time business friend of your father's."
Mr. Robert Ellis was a tall man with shadows under his eyes. The kind of eyes that led you to believe he had one too many secrets. Though I suppose to work with Abe you had to at least have one skeleton in your closet.
"Rose is fine." I corrected as we shook hands. Though he seemed frail, his handshake was still strong.
Christian stepped around me and reached for the man's hand next.
"Ah, Mr. Christian Ozera." Robert said as they clasped hands.
"All of your important things are in your little blue bag ma'am." Geoffrey said nodding before moving our things to the trunk of the Prius.
I slid the zipper open and peaked at the items inside. Lots of cash, ids and passports. Quickly zipping it up, I slung it over my shoulder.
"So… What's next Mr. Ellis?" I said, directing my attention back to the older gentleman.
"Abe thought a little bit of sunshine would do you good... So you'll be staying with me until further arrangements are made." He smiled as he turned to approach the car. "And please, call me Bert."
"Really, I wouldn't want to impose Mr. El-," he waved a hand at me dismissively.
"Oh hush child and get in."
I glanced at Christian who shrugged and walked over to the car.
Suddenly, the bag on my shoulder began to vibrate. I immediately unzipped it and rummaged around until I found a black flip phone. Rolling my eyes, I flipped it open and pressed the green phone to answer the call.
"How was the flight?" Abe's voice came through the phone.
"Uneventful." I lied while I waved at Geoffrey as he made his way back into said plane.
"I'm sure you've met Bertie by now." He said matter of factly.
"We have." My eyes drifted back to the man buckling his seatbelt.
"I'd suggest you get in the car or he'll knock the wind right out of you." My eyes narrowed at the hint of a smile in Abe's voice.
"You sent a Moroi with an Air affinity?" I frowned at the phone.
"Just in case Ozera decides to try anything funny." His voice dropped with sweetness.
"Sure old man…. So what's next?"
"Get in the car."
With a light click, I shut the phone and slid in behind Christian.
"So Rose, how is Abe?" Robert asked looking back at me through the rear view mirror. There was a knowing grin on his face that wrinkled the skin around his dark eyes.
"Just fine Bertie, just fine." I tucked the duffle bag between my feet and locked my seatbelt into place.
Christian glances between the two of us, the obvious rise in tension on my part queuing him in. I shook my head at the both of them and looked out the window as the car was put in drive.